Quick start: connect in 4 steps
- Buy a data plan in the SLYNUMBER app (one-time $5 eSIM activation fee).
- Install the eSIM by QR code or manual entry — ideally before you fly. See the setup guide →
- Activate when you land: switch the eSIM line on and enable Data Roaming.
- Top up anytime in the app — your prepaid data balance doesn't expire month to month.
Quick facts: SLYNUMBER eSIM for France
- France data rate
- $2.00 / GB · pay-as-you-go
- Activation
- One-time $5 eSIM fee
- Coverage
- 120+ countries, France included
- Host networks
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom
- Compatible devices
- iPhone XS+, Pixel 3+, Galaxy S20+
Key takeaways
- Pay only for the data you use: the France rate is $2.00/GB, your prepaid data balance doesn't expire month to month, and there are no contracts or carrier roaming surcharges.
- Set up in minutes: install via QR code (or manually) on any eSIM-compatible iPhone or Android before you fly, then activate when you land.
- Coverage across France: your phone connects automatically to Orange, SFR, or Bouygues Telecom in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Bordeaux, and beyond.
- Keep your own apps and number: WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok all run over the data plan with no second SIM.
- Manage everything in the app: track usage, top up, and switch plans — and add a U.S. virtual number whenever you want.
International add-ons from carriers like Orange or SFR can be expensive, and roaming on a home-country plan often adds per-megabyte charges that quietly inflate your bill.
A SLYNUMBER eSIM replaces that with simple pay-per-GB data. An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM built into modern phones, so there is no plastic card to swap. You buy a prepaid data balance, measured in gigabytes, then spend it as you browse — paying only the France rate for the data you actually use.
Data rates at a glance
The France rate is $2.00 per GB. The same eSIM works across 120+ countries — a sample by region:
- Europe: France, Spain, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands
- Americas: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil
- Asia-Pacific: Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Australia
- Middle East & Africa: United Arab Emirates, Turkey, South Africa, Morocco
When you cross a border, billing switches automatically to that country's per-GB rate. Nearby countries:
| Country | Rate per GB |
|---|---|
| France | $2.00 / GB |
| Belgium | See Belgium rate → |
| Spain | See Spain rate → |
| Italy | See Italy rate → |
| Germany | See Germany rate → |
| Switzerland | See Switzerland rate → |
See the full list and current per-GB rates on the destinations page.
France network & coverage details
SLYNUMBER's France eSIM connects to three major host networks: Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. Your device automatically selects the strongest available signal — no manual configuration required.
What 5G and 4G coverage can I expect?
France launched commercial 5G in late 2020 and has expanded coverage steadily since. According to France's telecom regulator ARCEP (mobile coverage maps), 4G now reaches close to the entire populated territory, while 5G is live across Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, and Bordeaux plus a growing number of mid-sized cities. In city centres, typical 4G/LTE speeds run roughly 30–100 Mbps, and 5G can exceed 100 Mbps where available; rural areas are usually 4G in the 10–30 Mbps range — enough for streaming, video calls, and navigation. Actual speeds vary by location, network load, and device.
What happens if I cross a border in the EU?
The France rate applies while your device is on a French network. If you cross into Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, or Germany, data is billed at each country's own rate — all listed on the SLYNUMBER destinations page. No settings change or separate eSIM is needed, and your data balance carries over automatically. For background on traveller rights, see the EU roaming rules.
Which devices are compatible?
SLYNUMBER's eSIM is supported on iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer (carrier-unlocked models), and most eSIM-capable tablets. To confirm, open Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM on your device before purchase.
1. How to use your SLYNUMBER eSIM in France
One global plan covers France and 120+ other countries — there is no country-specific SIM to buy. Here is how the plan works day to day. (For installation, see Setup & troubleshooting.)
One global plan
A single SLYNUMBER eSIM covers France and 120+ countries — there is no country-specific SIM to buy. Keep it on your phone and reactivate it whenever you travel.
Pay only per GB
You pay the per-GB rate for wherever you are — the France rate inside France — and only for the data you use. No bundles, no contracts, and your prepaid data balance doesn't expire month to month.
Across all of France
Your phone connects automatically to Orange, SFR, or Bouygues Telecom — the strongest signal at any moment — which ARCEP reports cover close to 100% of France's populated territory on 4G, from Paris and Lyon to small towns and rural routes.
Manage in the app
Track usage, top up on demand, switch plans, or add a U.S. number from the SLYNUMBER app. Installing the eSIM takes about 5 minutes — see the step-by-step setup guide below.
2. Advantages of a SLYNUMBER France eSIM
A SLYNUMBER eSIM is built to be more than a one-trip add-on — it is a global pay-as-you-go data plan you keep on your phone and reactivate whenever you travel.
Global, pay-per-GB access
One global eSIM covers France and 120+ other countries on a single plan. Instead of carrier roaming surcharges, you pay per GB at each country's listed rate — and only for the data you actually use. The same plan works on Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom, which ARCEP reports cover close to 100% of France's populated areas on 4G.
Easy, instant setup
Your eSIM arrives instantly by email as a QR code, and installs in a few minutes — the full step-by-step guide is in Setup & troubleshooting. The process is the same for first-time users and returning customers.
WhatsApp-ready
Use WhatsApp in France for calls, texts, and location sharing without changing your number.
Always-on support
Reach our support team any time through in-app chat or the help centre. SlyAI, the built-in AI assistant, also answers common setup and account questions in plain language inside the app.
3. What can you do with your eSIM?
Here is how your data plan handles the apps travelers use most in France, with a rough data cost for each.
Use cases: keep your existing WhatsApp number active across France with no SIM swap and no second number. Message and call from the Paris Métro, a Marseille café by the Vieux-Port, or the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, and share live locations with travel companions.
Estimated data: voice calls use about 3–8 MB per minute, so a week of daily check-ins is usually under 500 MB; video calls run 15–20 MB per minute.
Network note: voice calls need only a small, steady data stream, which the Orange, SFR, and Bouygues 4G/LTE networks supply reliably across populated areas.
How much data does a WhatsApp call use? About 3–8 MB per minute.
Share France's most photogenic spots in real time. Post Stories from the Eiffel Tower without hunting for tourist-area Wi-Fi, upload Reels from the lavender fields of Provence, or go live from a rooftop terrace on the French Riviera. With strong 4G/LTE in French city centres and tourist sites, and Instagram's local auto-save backing up your content, a brief signal gap in a tunnel will not cost you the shot.
How much data does a 60-second Reel use? Roughly 50–80 MB at 1080p.
TikTok
Create and upload without relying on café Wi-Fi. Film a POV walk through Montmartre in Paris, capture a sunset time-lapse near Nice, or document the old town of Lyon, then post from the spot while the moment is fresh. Automatic network selection across Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom keeps you on the strongest signal even in crowded venues, and the SLYNUMBER app shows your remaining balance in real time so you know when to top up.
How much data does a 60-second TikTok upload use? About 30–100 MB, depending on resolution.
Maps
Navigation is straightforward with a live connection. Plan routes on the Paris Métro and RER, get turn-by-turn directions along the Lyon riverside, or find a restaurant near Marseille's Vieux-Port. For occasional signal gaps — some rural stretches or Alpine passes near Chamonix — download an offline map region in Google Maps first. When signal resumes, navigation returns to live mode automatically and keeps your arrival time accurate.
How much data does live navigation use? About 5 MB per hour; a full offline map of France is under 400 MB.
How much data will you use? (approximate)
| Activity | Approx. data |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp voice call | 3–8 MB per minute |
| WhatsApp video call | 15–20 MB per minute |
| Scrolling Instagram or TikTok | 100–150 MB per 30 minutes |
| Uploading a 60-second Reel / TikTok | 30–100 MB |
| Google Maps live navigation | about 5 MB per hour |
| Music streaming | 1–2 MB per minute |
| HD video streaming | 700 MB–1 GB per hour |
Suggested data for a one-week trip
| Traveler | Typical use | Suggested data |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Maps, messaging, occasional browsing | 1–2 GB |
| Moderate | Social media, video calls, some streaming | 3–5 GB |
| Heavy | HD streaming, daily uploads, hotspot | 7–10 GB |
4. Setup & troubleshooting
Everything you need to install, activate, and fix your eSIM is in one place below. Installation takes about five minutes; we recommend doing it on Wi-Fi before you fly so the eSIM is ready when you land.
Download
the app
Download the app, select a data plan, and complete checkout.
Install the eSIM
Install by QR code or manual entry using the details in the app.
Activate &
connect
Turn the eSIM line on, enable Data Roaming, and you are connected.
Install by QR code or manually
After checkout you receive a QR code instantly in the app and by email. To install by QR code, open Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM and scan it from a separate screen (a printout or second device). To install manually instead, choose Enter Details Manually and paste the SM-DP+ address (the server address that provisions your eSIM) and activation code shown on your order. Each QR code installs only once.
Activate in France
When you arrive, switch the SLYNUMBER eSIM line on under Settings → Cellular, enable Data Roaming for that line (required for travel eSIMs; it adds no charge on your pay-as-you-go plan), and select the line for cellular data. Your phone then connects automatically to Orange, SFR, or Bouygues Telecom.
How to activate your SLYNUMBER eSIM in France
Troubleshooting
My eSIM QR code will not scan — what should I do?
Scan the QR code from a separate screen (a printout or a second device) rather than the same phone you are installing on. Make sure the phone is on Wi-Fi, running the latest iOS or Android version, and carrier-unlocked. If scanning still fails, install manually: copy the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your order in the app and enter them under Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Enter Details Manually. Each QR code installs only once, so if you have already used it, generate a new one in the app.
My eSIM installed but there is no data in France — how do I fix it?
Check three settings. First, confirm the SLYNUMBER eSIM line is switched on under Settings → Cellular. Second, enable Data Roaming for that line — travel eSIMs require it, and it does not add charges on your pay-as-you-go plan. Third, select the SLYNUMBER line for Cellular Data. If there is still no signal, toggle Airplane Mode off and on, or restart the phone so it re-scans for Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. Finally, confirm you have an active data balance in the app.
5. Virtual number vs. other privacy solutions
Several options exist for keeping your real number private. Here is how they compare across the features that matter most:
| Feature | SLYNUMBER | Google Voice | Burner Apps | Carrier 2nd line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real U.S. mobile number | Yes | No | Varies | No |
| SMS verification for apps | Yes | Limited | Often blocked | Yes |
| Immune to SIM swapping | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Custom voicemail | Yes | Yes | Rarely | Yes |
| International calling | Yes | Limited | Rarely | Carrier dependent |
| eSIM / Data plans | Yes | No | No | Carrier dependent |
| Number permanence | Permanent | Permanent | Temporary | Permanent |
| Requires carrier number | No | Yes | Varies | Yes |
| Starting price | $14.99 / 3 months | Free | $2–$5/week | $10–$15 add-on |
6. Features and pricing
Core Features
SLYNUMBER provides real U.S. mobile numbers — not VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) numbers, which many apps flag and block because they are cheap to create in bulk and often used for spam. Each number supports:
- SMS and MMS messaging, including verification codes
- Inbound and outbound voice calls
- Custom voicemail greetings
- Call routing, forwarding, and blocking
- International calling to 100+ countries
- Number tagging by purpose: business, personal, dating, or travel
- eSIM data plans for cellular connectivity without a local SIM
SLYNUMBER numbers are accepted by major apps and services, including WhatsApp, Telegram, PayPal, Venmo, Instagram, Snapchat, Amazon, and Gmail. A small number of services apply their own verification restrictions, so check an individual app's policy if it is critical to you.
Security
Calls and messages travel over encrypted connections using Transport Layer Security (TLS 1.2/1.3) — the same family of encryption that protects online banking — and Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP), which encrypts the audio of voice calls in transit.
Pricing & fees
eSIM data and the optional U.S. virtual number are billed separately. The table below summarises both:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| eSIM activation (one-time) | $5 |
| eSIM data — France | $2.00 / GB (pay-as-you-go) |
| Virtual number — quarterly | $4.99/mo, billed $14.99 every 3 months |
| Virtual number — annual | $49.99/year (lowest per-month rate) |
| Calling credits add-on | $10 for 1,000 credits |
What is a "credit"? Calling credits apply to the optional virtual number: 1 credit equals 1 minute of calls, 1 SMS, or 1 MMS. They are separate from your eSIM data, which is measured in gigabytes. Your prepaid eSIM data balance does not expire month to month (see Terms for full details).
Auto-renewal: the quarterly and annual virtual-number subscriptions renew automatically until you cancel in the app. eSIM data is pay-as-you-go — it is never auto-charged; you top up manually when you need more.
Platform Availability
The SLYNUMBER app is available on the App Store and Google Play. It also includes SlyAI, the built-in AI assistant that answers setup, billing, and account questions in plain language inside the app.
7. Frequently asked questions
Does my SLYNUMBER eSIM work on SNCF TGV and TER trains?
Yes. France's SNCF high-speed TGV and regional TER trains travel through areas served by Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom — France's three strongest networks. SLYNUMBER's eSIM connects to whichever signal is strongest at any point along the route, including the high-speed Paris–Lyon and Paris–Marseille corridors. Most travelers report steady 4G/LTE for streaming, messaging, and navigation throughout the trip. We recommend downloading offline maps before boarding as a backup for tunnels and rural stretches.
Will my eSIM keep working if I cross into Belgium, Spain, or Italy?
Yes. SLYNUMBER's eSIM is a global plan that automatically switches to supported local networks when you cross a border. Your France rate applies inside France only; data consumed abroad is billed at the applicable per-GB rate for that country, listed on the destinations page. There is no manual settings change and no separate eSIM to buy. Your prepaid data balance does not expire, so any unused data carries over when you return to France.
How much data do I need for a week in Paris or Nice?
Most travelers use 3–5 GB per week. As a rough guide: light use (maps, messaging, occasional browsing) stays under 2 GB; moderate use (social media, video calls, streaming on the go) runs 3–4 GB; heavy use (streaming HD video, uploading content) can reach 7–10 GB. With SLYNUMBER's pay-per-GB model you only pay the France rate for the data you actually use — no roaming packages and no contracts. You can add more data instantly in the app mid-trip.
What is a virtual phone number?
A virtual phone number is a real phone number that operates over the internet using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology rather than being tied to a physical SIM card. You can use it to make calls, send texts, activate apps, and verify accounts — all without exposing your personal carrier number.
Is a virtual phone number the same as a burner number?
Not exactly. Burner numbers are typically temporary and disposable, often lasting only days or weeks. A virtual phone number from a provider like SLYNUMBER is a permanent, real U.S. mobile number that supports SMS verification, voice calls, voicemail, and long-term app activation — similar to a carrier number but without the physical SIM.
How much does a virtual phone number cost?
SLYNUMBER plans start at $4.99 per month on the quarterly billing cycle ($14.99 billed every three months). An annual plan is available at $49.99/year. Every plan includes the full feature set: calling, SMS, MMS, voicemail, call forwarding, and international dialing.
Can a virtual number prevent SIM swapping?
Yes. A virtual number is not controlled by a mobile carrier, so an attacker cannot call your carrier and transfer it to a new SIM. However, you should still secure the login credentials for your virtual number provider's account using a strong password and, where available, app-based 2FA (such as an authenticator app).
Can I use a virtual phone number for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
Yes. SLYNUMBER provides real U.S. mobile numbers that receive standard SMS verification codes. You can use your virtual number for 2FA on banking apps, social media, email accounts, and other services that require phone-based verification.
Does SLYNUMBER work outside of the United States?
Yes. Because the number operates over the internet, you can use it from anywhere with a Wi-Fi or data connection. SLYNUMBER is available in 120+ countries. SLYNUMBER also offers eSIM data plans for cellular connectivity while traveling, so you do not need to rely on local SIM cards or expensive roaming.
